ing, and more than ever in the evening. And all behaved well but one gentleman, who took much pains to divert those that were near him. I fixed my eyes upon him, but he did not regard it. I was then obliged to speak to him, and he was silent.

Saturday 17, I finished Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of Richard the Third. What an amazing monster both in body and mind, have our historians and poets painted him! And yet I think Mr. Walpole makes it more clear, than one could expect at this distance of time; 1, "That he was not only not remarkably deformed, but on the contrary, remarkably handsome. 2, That his Queen, whom he entirely loved, died a natural death. 3, That his nephew, Edward the Fifth, did so too; there being no shadow of proof to the contrary. 4, That his other nephew, Richard, was the very person whom Henry the Seventh murdered, after constraining him to call himself Perkin Warbeck. 5, That the death of his brother, the Duke of Clarence, was the sole act, not of him, but Edward the Fourth. 6, That he had no hand at all in the murder of Henry the Sixth, any more than of his son. And, lastly, That he was clear of all blame, as to the execution of Lord Hastings; as well as of Rivers, Gray, and Vaughan." What a surprising thing is it then, that all our historians should have so readily swallowed the account of that wretch, who - killed, and also took possession of the throne; and should have blundered on, one after another! Only it is to be observed, for fifty years, no one could contradict that account, but at the peril of his head.

Sunday 18, As it rained, I preached morning and evening in the Tholsel, to a multitude of people. I spoke exceedingly plain, and all received it in love. Perhaps some may bring forth fruit. Monday 19, in the evening I preached at Birr, and removed some misunderstandings which had crept into the Society. Tuesday 20, I went on to Aughrim, and spoke as plain as possibly I could, to a money-loving people, on God said unto him, thou fool! But I am afraid

many of them are sermon-proof: yet God has all power: and sometimes he sends, when and where it pleases him,

"O'erwhelming showers of saving grace.

But I have never observed these to last long. And in all the intervals of them, he acts by his standing rule, Unto him, that hath, [and uses what he hath,] shall be given; and he shall have more abundantly: but from him that hath not, [uses it not,] shall be taken away, even that he hath.

Wednesday 21, I went on to Athlone. Friday 23, I rode to Abidarrig, to the Quarterly Meeting. Many of the people came from afar; and God gave them a good reward for their labour. Saturday 24, we returned to Athlone. Sunday 25, in the afternoon, I stood in Barrack-street, and cried aloud to a mixed multitude, Behold 1 stand at the door and knock. I never before saw so quiet a congregation on this side the water. There was not only no tumult, but no murmur to be heard, no smile to be seen on any face.

Monday 26, About noon I preached on the Green, at Clara, to an exceedingly serious congregation; and in the evening at Tullamore. Tuesday 27, I found a little increase in the Society. But there cannot be much without more field-preaching. Wherever this is intermitted, the work of God stands still, if it does not go back.

To-day I wrote to a pious and sensible woman, as follows:

"Dear Madam,

"Tullamore, June 27, 1769.

"When I had the pleasure of conversing with you some years since, you had a regard both for me, and the people called Methodists. If I am rightly informed you are now of another mind. May I ask, When did that change begin? Was it at your last journey to Dublin? Whenever it was, suffer me to ask, What were the reasons of it? I will tell you what I conjecture, and I do it in writing, because I may not have an opportunity of talking with you: because I can write more freely than I could speak: because I can now say all I have to say at once; whereas, if we were talking together, I might probably forget some part:

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and because you may by this mean have the better opportunity of calmly considering it.

"I conjecture, (to tell you just what rises in my heart,) that this change was owing to several causes. Some admired and commended you as a person of uncommon sense, and uncommon attainments in religion. Others told you at large from time to time, all the real or supposed faults of the Methodists. In particular, the jars which had lately been in Dublin, on account of Mr. Morgan and Olivers. This naturally tended to breed and increase pride on the one hand, and prejudice on the other. Riches increased:

which not only led you step by step into more conformity to the world, but insensibly instilled self-importance, unwillingness to be contradicted, and an over-bearing temper. And hence you were of course disgusted at those who did not yield to this temper, and blamed that conformity. Perhaps some of these professed or expected to be perfected in love. They at least believed perfection. Now this you seemed to hate with a perfect hatred: and on that account disliked them the more.

"Permit me to add a few words on each of these heads. And first: Would it not be well, if you started back from every appearance of admiration, (which you know is deadly poison) whether on account of your sense or piety? And if you utterly discountenanced all, who directly or indirectly commend you to your face? Yea, and all who tell you of the jars or faults of the Methodists? Or indeed of any absent person?

i ..

"Should you not earnestly strive and pray against thinking highly of your understanding, or attainments in religion? Otherwise this, by grieving the Holy Spirit, will expose you to still more prejudice: especially towards those who may seem to vie with you in religion, if not in understanding.

"Can you be too sensible, how hardly they that have riches shall enter into the kingdom of heaven? Yea, or into the kingdom of an inward heaven? into the whole spirit of the Gospel? How hard is it for these (whether you do or not)

not to conform too much to the world? How hard not to be a little over-bearing, especially to inferiors ?

"Is it right to be disgusted at those who fear you conform too far: who do not sink down before you? Nay, perhaps oppose your judgment, or blame your practice?

"And with regard to perfection. Have not they that hold it, the same right to be angry with you for denying it, as you with them for affirming it?

"But what is it you are angry at? What is it you object to? Let us understand the question, before we dispute about it.

"By Christian Perfection I mean, 1, Loving God with all our heart. Do you object to this? I mean, 2, A heart and life all devoted to God. Do you desire less? I mean, 3, Regaining the whole image of God. What objection to this? I mean, 4, Having all the mind that was in Christ. Is this going too far? I mean, 5, Walking uniformly as Christ walked. And this surely no Christian will object to. If any one mean any thing more,. or any thing else by Perfection, I have no concern with it. But if this be wrong: yet what need of this heat about it, this violence, I had almost said, fury of opposition? Carried so far as even not to lay out any thing with this man, or that woman who fesses it. Nay, (says Mrs.,) I did not refrain from it for this only; but for their espousing Mr. Oliver's cause against Mr. Morgan.' Worse and worse; what! are people to starve (at least for me) unless they think as I think, or like whom I like? Alas! what religion! what humanity! what common sense is this?,

pro-,

"But I have done. I have once for all taken upon myself a most unthankful office. I have spoken with all plainness and simplicity, and now leave the event to God. May he open your heart, that you may discern his holy, and acceptable, and perfect will, that you may have a right judgment in all things, and evermore rejoice in his holy comfort. "I am, dear Madam,

"Your affectionate Servant,

"JOHN WESLEY.”

Wednesday 28, I rode to Mountmellick, and for the sake of some tender persons, preached in the new house. It was a solemn time; in consequence of which, it was pretty well filled in the morning. A serious awe spread over the whole congregation; but more remarkably the next even ing, while I was opening and applying the story of Dives and Lazarus. Friday 30, I rode over to Montrath, a wild place as most in Ireland, and preached in the shell of a new house, to many more than it would contain. All were quiet and attentive. In the middle of the sermon a young woman who was a sinner, endeavoured, for a while, to hide her tears, by creeping behind another, till in a few minutes her strength failed, and she sunk down to the ground. I was sorry they carried her away; otherwise I think she would have soon lifted up her head with joy. In the evening we had a Love-feast, at Mountmellick, and great was our rejoicing in the Lord. Many were filled with consolation, trusting he would soon make an end of sin, and bring in everlasting righteousness.

Saturday, July 1, I found a far different face of things at Portarlington. The Society had once a hundred and thirty members: (a hundred and four I joined in three days.) It had now no more than twenty-four; and some of these had only a name to live. In the evening I applied particularly to the backsliders. But almost as soon as I began, a large company of quality, (as they called them) came and embarrassed me not a little. I knew this was heathen Greek to them. But I could not then change my subject. However, I diluted my discourse as much as I could, that it might not be quite too strong for their digestion.

Sunday 2, I read Mrs. Rowe's Devout Exercises of the Heart. It is far superior to any thing of her's that I ever read, in stile as well as in sense. Her experience is plain, sound, and scriptural, no way whimsical or mystical. And her language is clear, strong, and simple, without any of that affected floridness; which offends all who have a tolerable ear, or any judgment in good writing.

At nine we had a serious congregation, to whom I could